It's very unfortunate that she got "typed" as the Witch considering that the character was nothing like who she really was. And that it completely overshadowed her extensive career as a character actor and film and television and her work as a commercial spokesperson for Maxwell House coffee ("SCTV" did a great sketch where they combined her spokesperson character with the Witch!).
Yes, that's for sure. When I was researching what I ran across most was what a lovely and gentle human being she was. The contrast between her personality and the role that defined her is just a world apart.
So sad that such a kind and loving woman played a role that became her brand, as they say today. In defense of Sesame Street, my oldest son watched it from his playpen in its second year on air. By the time he got to first grade he was reading at a 4th grade level. Such a shame that they typecast Ms. Hamilton so far away from her real persona. Even Mr. Rogers, perhaps one of the kindest, gentlest people who ever lived, had aspersions cast on him.
The sad part is that they cast her as the witch because she wasn't considered pretty enough to play anything else and then the role took on a life of its own. She did so much good for children's education and animal charities and most people don't even know.
I’m thankful Gregory Maguire’s novel “Wicked” gave us a humanizing origin story for Elphaba (her name cobbled together from L. Frank Baum, the writer of the original Oz stories), and the true face and machinations of Oz, the great and terrible.
I’m 72, and have probably seen the 1939 film one hundred times. They had much trouble with the makeup used on Ray Bolger too… horrible sllergy reaction.
Many production nightmares… a wonder the film got made at all. Then there’s the whole Judy Garland story, 16 yrs old under contract to MGM, put on a strict diet and given amphetamines - studio execs called her “a fat little pig in pigtails”. Her mother, a frustrated vaudeville performer had her performing young, on pills as mom needed at age 10. Just Garland’s lifetime addiction nightmare was created by her mother & the studio.
Knowing these things changes how one views the ‘beloved classic’.
It's very unfortunate that she got "typed" as the Witch considering that the character was nothing like who she really was. And that it completely overshadowed her extensive career as a character actor and film and television and her work as a commercial spokesperson for Maxwell House coffee ("SCTV" did a great sketch where they combined her spokesperson character with the Witch!).
Yes, that's for sure. When I was researching what I ran across most was what a lovely and gentle human being she was. The contrast between her personality and the role that defined her is just a world apart.
A lovely article about this actress. I hadn’t been aware of her background or the accident on the set. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Kathy.
Fascinating stuff! Such a shame her last appearance was a shambles. She still scares me today!
Yeah, it's a shame for sure. That was all on the scriptwriter. They saw the Mr Rogers episode but learned nothing from it.
So sad that such a kind and loving woman played a role that became her brand, as they say today. In defense of Sesame Street, my oldest son watched it from his playpen in its second year on air. By the time he got to first grade he was reading at a 4th grade level. Such a shame that they typecast Ms. Hamilton so far away from her real persona. Even Mr. Rogers, perhaps one of the kindest, gentlest people who ever lived, had aspersions cast on him.
The sad part is that they cast her as the witch because she wasn't considered pretty enough to play anything else and then the role took on a life of its own. She did so much good for children's education and animal charities and most people don't even know.
Well, thanks to you, Linda, more people do know and will remember (and hopefully, pass it on)!
I’m thankful Gregory Maguire’s novel “Wicked” gave us a humanizing origin story for Elphaba (her name cobbled together from L. Frank Baum, the writer of the original Oz stories), and the true face and machinations of Oz, the great and terrible.
I’m 72, and have probably seen the 1939 film one hundred times. They had much trouble with the makeup used on Ray Bolger too… horrible sllergy reaction.
Many production nightmares… a wonder the film got made at all. Then there’s the whole Judy Garland story, 16 yrs old under contract to MGM, put on a strict diet and given amphetamines - studio execs called her “a fat little pig in pigtails”. Her mother, a frustrated vaudeville performer had her performing young, on pills as mom needed at age 10. Just Garland’s lifetime addiction nightmare was created by her mother & the studio.
Knowing these things changes how one views the ‘beloved classic’.
Sad for Margaret Hamilton too. 😞
You’ve done it again - found an intriguing angle on a familiar person/subject. It’s really a bittersweet story, isn’t it?